Taiwan Prez hurt in assassination bid on poll eve

Chen delivered a brief late-night address to the nation, assuring his people he was well and they were secure. ‘‘After careful treatment by doctors, A-Bian is fine,’’ he said in an address to the nation, using his popular nickname.

‘‘Please put your hearts at ease. We have activated the national security mechanism. The security of Taiwan has no problems,’’ said Chen, dressed casually in a shirt and woollen waistcoat.

Chen and Lu were travelling through Tainan streets in a red open-top jeep when unknown assailants shot at them at 1.45 pm. Police said they believed two standard handguns were used and at least two shots fired. Police said they believed two assailants took part and later offered a T$3 million reward for information leading to their capture.

More than six hours after the shooting, China’s official Xinhua news agency carried a terse factual report on the incident but the government had no official reaction. Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province to be recovered by force if necessary.

Chen was rushed to hospital in Tainan, where he received 14 stitches in an 11-cm long, three-cm deep wound. TV reports said the 54-year-old President was able to walk into the hospital for treatment.

Lu, 59, was hit in the right leg and slightly hurt.— (Reuters)